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As New Zealanders went about their daily lives in the winter of 1914, the European great powers were going to war...

1914, JUNE 28 (SATURDAY)9.15pm, NZ time: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie are assassinated by Serbian nationalists in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (territory that was formally incorporated into the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1908).

1914, JULY 31 (FRIDAY)3.30am: Tsar Nicholas II orders general Russian mobilisation. Austria-Hungary proclaims general mobilisation. Wellington city wants to borrow £365,585 ($55 million in 2014) on the London market for projects including a tunnel under Mt Victoria; Mayor JP Luke says that if war breaks out this will be hard to raise in the next five years. There are no transactions on the Wellington stock exchange because of the war scare.

Around 8pm: Prime Minister William Massey tells the House of Representatives that he knows of 'no occasion for serious alarm', but proposes to offer Britain a volunteer expeditionary force 'if the occasion arises'. Massey's offer is seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Joseph Ward.

9.30pm, New Zealand time: The London stock exchange closes amid European financial panic.

Germany demands passage through Belgium for its troops (necessary to implement the 'Schlieffen Plan' to encircle the French army).

Around 9am: British government decides on general mobilisation.

6.30pm: Belgium rejects German ultimatum.

Around 9pm: New Zealand naval forces placed under direct British control. New Zealand begins censoring international cables. The third member of the Triple Alliance, Italy, declares itself neutral on the grounds that Austria-Hungary's invasion of Serbia was an act of aggression.

5.30am: Germany declares war on France. Secret alliance between Germany and the Ottoman Empire signed in Berlin.

Around 3pm: Massey tells the House that naval reservists have been called to their ships and the Garrison Artillery to their forts, which 'will be fully manned day and night'; international cables are being censored; all ships entering the four main ports are being examined; the training ship HMS Philomel has been handed back to direct British control. Postmaster-General Robert Heaton Rhodes announces that, since Sunday, war news has been posted outside post offices.

Around 7.30pm: German troops enter Belgium.

Around 8pm: Telegram: 'Auckland Flying Club unanimously place their homing pigeons at Government's disposal'.

11.30pm: King Albert of Belgium appeals to France and Britain for military support.

1914, AUGUST 5 (WEDNESDAY)5.30am: Britain demands German withdrawal from Belgium.

3.30am: The Committee of Imperial Defence meets in London; it decides to send six (reduced to four) divisions to northern France as a British Expeditionary Force.

2.40pm: Massey promises to post official war news at Parliament and the Government Buildings.

1914, AUGUST 7 (FRIDAY)4pm: Massey tells the House of Representatives that "it is now certain that the Expeditionary Force will be required". Whether Māori will be accepted for service overseas is up to the imperial authorities.

- All times are New Zealand time - NZ History.net.nzBy the numbers:

* 120,000: New Zealanders enlisted, and around 100,000 served overseas.

* 1 million: The total population of NZ in 1914 was just over 1 million.

* 273: conscientious objectors were imprisoned for refusing military service.

* 11: Victoria Crosses were won by soldiers serving with New Zealand forces.